Chris Elliott has the scoop on the latest fines that the Department of Transportation issued to United Airlines (who was already having a bad week, thanks to the broken guitar video) and Delta Airlines for failing to notify passengers of codesharing flights and for denied-boarding violations. Elliott reports:

United Airlines faces $80,000 in penalties for neglecting to inform travelers that certain flights were operated by another airline. And Delta Air Lines is being fined $375,000 for bumping passengers from its flights without compensation.

The investigation of United declared that phone reservations agents were not disclosing the codeshare partners while Delta's investigation was based on passenger complaint records. But these fines are extremely minor as Elliott points out that each airline will probably only pay half so long as they promise to not to do it again. (In our best Church Lady voice) Wellll, isn't that special?

Related Stories:
· All Together Now: 'United Breaks Guitars' [Jaunted]
· Delta and United face steep fines for codesharing, denied-boarding violations [Elliott.org]

[Photo: Paul Brady]]]> juliana 2009-07-09T16:48:03-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/5/13/95353/6876

Checked baggage allowances make our heads hurt, and often in those critical few hours before a flight as we bounce to close our suitcase. To put minds at ease and clarify all the charts out there, all week long at Jaunted we will be detailing what it costs to check your bags and get on board. Got any suggestions or tips? Let us know.

Delta's Domestic Routes (within United States and Canada):
As usual, those flying in First and Business Class don't have to worry about doling out extra; you're allowed 3 checked bags up to 70lbs each for free on domestic flights. The allowances get even larger for military personnel, who can stow up to 10 checked bags at 100lbs and 80 inches each on flights. All the rest of us in economy will have to pay:
· $15 for your first checked bag.
· $25 for your second bag.
· Extra dollars if you check more than 2 bags, exceed 50 lbs per bag, go over 62 inches all around each bag, or you're hauling a special item like a cello or skis.]]> JetSetCD 2009-05-13T10:46:54-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/5/5/155748/0620

We were worried that the travel deals we've been seeing all winter and spring would disappear as soon as summer arrived. But as we approach Memorial Day Weekend, the deals are still sticking around, like this one from Delta Airlines which is offering a trip from New York to San Francisco for $109 each way (based on a roundtrip fare.)

Also out of New York's LGA is a flight down to the Big Easy for only $89 one-way. Meanwhile, Atlanta folks can get away to Phoenix for just $109 one-way or they can head to the Motor City for only $69 one-way. Not bad!

Of course there are restrictions, namely that these fares are limited and they must be purchased at least 14 days prior to departure through Delta.com. Tuesdays and Wednesdays will yield the low fares mentioned and you must complete travel by September 14, 2009. The blackout dates are May 22, 25, July 2, 3, 5, and 6. Finally, the last day to book these sale fares is May 18.

And might we add one more restriction? San Fran in the summertime is not warm despite being in the state of California. So pack your sweaters and slacks.

Related Stories:
· Airfare Sales [Jaunted]]]> juliana 2009-05-05T16:06:25-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/3/23/101833/495

The Down Under War of the Airlines continues. This morning Virgin Australia and Delta Airlines have announced an interline partnership that will enable travelers to "travel on a single ticket on the two airlines between Australia and the US." What we think this means (and correct us if we're wrong) is that you can fly Virgin from Oz to Los Angeles and then hop on a Delta flight from LA to anywhere else in the US. You get one ticket and your luggage is checked all the way through to your final destination.]]> juliana 2009-03-23T10:35:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/3/5/73316/33631

Delta Airlines has been pretty quiet as far as their merger with Northwest Airlines is concerned. Things have been moving forward, although the airlines are still technically operating as two separate entities for the foreseeable future. Of course, there have been some schedule changes, plane swaps, and a shifting in flight frequency among the many hubs that Delta has to now oversee.

However one big change was announced yesterday, one that will specifically affect business travelers and really fancy frequent fliers. The airline is changing the names of both their Crown Room Clubs and Northwest’s World Clubs.

Starting next month, Delta will begin to change over the airport lounges to Delta Sky Clubs. ]]> kjb 2009-03-05T09:18:27-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/2/11/164658/914

With so much travel news raining down on us, we don't always have time to give every story its own forecast. Here's more of the day's news, in brief.

· Deltalina Launches Sky Magazine: Delta Airlines will be getting a new magazine, Sky, which is "on newstands, onboard and online" April 1. There's a launch party on Feb. 24th and Deltalina beckons you to attend. If you dare. [Delta Invite]

· Southwest Blog Readers Upset Over "SI One": While Bar looks hot on the side of the Southwest SI One plane some commenters are arguing that a lady in a bikini is not very family-friendly. Also, we're sure Kyla Ebberts would like to weigh in on this. [Southwest Blog]

· Andiamos! Lufthansa Italia Now In Flight: Flights from Milan to Barcelona and Paris have begun on Lufthansa. Brussels, Budapest, Bucharest, Madrid, London Heathrow and Lisbon will all be added by the end of March. [Travel Weekly]

· A Love Song for Sully: A singer-songwriter aboard Flight 1549 has penned a song for Capt. Sully and the crew called, "Send Another Prayer." Emma Sophina is now hoping to get a record deal out of her ordeal. [Rolling Stone] ]]> juliana 2009-02-11T17:01:03-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/